Heat exchanger

ABSTRACT

A heat exchanger includes a header, a tank and a gasket between the header and the tank. The gasket at least includes one portion protruding from the header, which is in sealing engagement with a portion of the tank. In some embodiments, the portion protruding from the header may include a V-shaped or U-shaped groove that is open to the portion of the tank.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a U.S. national phase patent application of PCT/KR2021/004179 filed Apr. 5, 2021 which claims the benefit of and priority to German Pat. Appl. No. 10 2020 206 409.1 filed on May 22, 2020, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a heat exchanger, and more particularly to a gasket for the heat exchanger.

BACKGROUND ART

A heat exchanger of this type is known, for example, from JP 2019-056517 A and comprises a header in which a large number of parallel tubes for a coolant are inserted, as well as a tank in which the coolant flowing through the tubes is collected. A gasket is provided between the header and the tank. A similar arrangement is revealed in JP 2013-164256 A.

Particular challenges arise when the tank should be divided, especially in its longitudinal direction, by a comparatively long partition wall. In this case, the partition wall must be reliably sealed against the header.

SUMMARY

Against this background, the invention is based on the object of providing a heat exchanger in which different areas of the tank are reliably sealed off from each other.

This object is solved firstly by the heat exchanger as shown and described herein.

Accordingly, the gasket comprises at least one portion protruding from the header, which is in sealing engagement with a portion of the tank. The portion of the tank can typically be a partition wall which, when the heat exchanger is in the assembled state, is typically oriented substantially perpendicular to the header and/or substantially parallel to the tubes inserted into the header. The sealing engagement can be particularly well ensured by the fact that the gasket has a portion protruding from the header, which can thus engage particularly reliably with the portion of the tank. In this way, for example, tightness between individual portions of the tank can also be ensured in a tank made of a synthetic material which is subject to comparatively large tolerances.

Preferably, the protruding portion protrudes above the level of the tubes inserted into the header. In a common case of application, the protruding portion can protrude about 2 to 6 mm. The sealing engagement ensures a particularly long path which leakage fluid would have to travel, and therefore tightness can be ensured particularly reliably. This applies in particular to the groove described below which is preferably formed in the protruding portion.

A V- or U-shaped groove has proven to be advantageous for the function of the protruding portion in interaction with the portion of the tank. Accordingly, the portion of the tank, typically the partition wall, can have a V-shaped tip or a U-shaped rounded shape to interact particularly well with the described groove. The groove can be about 1 to 6 mm deep. During the sealing engagement between the protruding portion of the gasket and the portion of the tank, the lateral ribs or lips limiting the groove provide particular stability. When the portion of the tank reaches the bottom of the groove and exerts a certain force on it, these ribs and lips are moved in particular towards each other, in other words they are moved in such a manner that the groove is “closed” against the portion of the tank, and tightness is particularly ensured.

Tightness is further supported by the preferred measure according to which the header is curved in the direction of the tank. This must be considered in view of the fact that the header is usually attached to the tank by a crimp connection. In the crimp connection, forces are applied to the header from both sides in the lateral direction, in other words parallel to the “bottom” of the header in which the numerous tubes are inserted. These forces can cause this bottom to bend in such a way that the bottom moves away from the tank and thus away from the sealing engagement. Owing to the fact that the header is preferably curved in the direction of the tank, deformation of the header in the described unfavorable direction, away from the tank, becomes less likely. Rather, the crimping forces result in this case in that the header curves at least slightly further in the direction of the tank, and thus tightness is improved rather than compromised. The described deformation in the direction of a curvature can be advantageously stopped by the portion of the tank, which interacts with the protruding portion of the gasket.

The stability of the header can be further improved in that it comprises at least one rib or bead between openings for the tubes.

Since forces are particularly applied to the header as a result of the sealing engagement between the portion of the tank and the protruding portion of the gasket, a rib or bead is preferred which, with regard to its course, corresponds to the protruding portion of the gasket. In other words, the protruding portion of the gasket is particularly supported by a rib or bead. In this context, a bead, in other words a rib, that is directed away from the protruding portion offers the advantage that the surface directed towards the protruding portion is advantageously flat.

The header typically comprises rows of openings, wherein the rows can extend in the longitudinal direction. A width of the openings can be measured perpendicular to the row direction and advantageously varies along the row direction. In other words, openings of different widths are provided in one row of openings. This advantageously avoids parallel rows which would promote deformation, especially at the remaining webs between the rows.

Openings of different widths can be advantageously used, for example, to form at least one opening in such a way that it is suitable to accommodate two or more tubes.

Additional advantages for the stability of the header are provided if the header comprises at least one opening, the edge of which protrudes from the plane of the opening. In other words, a rib is formed on the edge, preferably circumferential around the entire opening, which can extend from the header substantially in one direction of the inserted tubes and provides additional stability. Such a circumferential rib can also be referred to as a short sleeve on the edge of the opening.

A particularly reliable connection between the header and the tank, including the sealing engagement, can be achieved if the header and the tank are connected by means of at least one clip. The interaction of the clip with a locking projection can be advantageously used to define the positional relationship between the tank and the header, and thus to advantageously adjust the forces acting on the gasket. Moreover, the connection by means of a clip can prevent, or extensively limit, the above-described deformation of the header during the crimp connection.

For this purpose, the header and/or the tank and/or the gasket have an opening for the clip. The edges of the opening can be advantageously configured in such a way that they compress the gasket and thus improve its function.

The clip can be provided here on the header or the tank, depending on the case of application.

It is moreover advantageous in certain situations if the clip, or a locking projection interacting with the clip, is provided on a separate member that is inserted into the header.

As regards the preferred embodiments, in particular the curved tank and the clip, it is mentioned that, as described, these interact advantageously with the feature combination as shown and described herein; however, also develop their advantageous effect independently thereof. In this respect, the curved tank and the clip are to be regarded as independent subject matter of the application, either alone or in combination with any features described above or below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the heat exchanger according to the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show the following:

FIG. 1 a cross-section of the heat exchanger according to the invention in the area of the header and tank before connection thereof;

FIG. 2 a view corresponding to FIG. 1 in the assembled state;

FIG. 3A a view of a further embodiment corresponding to FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 3B one detail of FIG. 3A;

FIGS. 4 to 8B preferred embodiments of the header of the heat exchanger according to the invention;

FIGS. 9A to 13 preferred embodiments of the heat exchanger according to the invention in the area of connection between header and the tank.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

As can be seen in FIG. 1 , a header 10 of the heat exchanger according to the invention typically has a largely flat bottom 40 which is provided with numerous openings 22 (cf. also FIGS. 5, 7 and 8A and 8B) into which numerous tubes 42 are inserted that are used to guide fluid. The header 10 is U-shaped or trough-shaped at the edges, and is provided with a gasket 44 to a lateral edge of the tank 12.

In the case shown, the tank 12 has a substantially semi-circular cross-section and is divided longitudinally (according to FIG. 1 , perpendicular to the drawing plane) by a partition wall 18. It is noted at this point that the partition wall 18 does not necessarily have to be provided in the center of the tank 12.

According to the invention, the partition wall 18 interacts with a gasket 14 towards the header 10, which protrudes from the header, in particular its bottom 40. In the case shown, the protruding portion (16) of the gasket 14 can protrude, for example, 2 to 6 mm, and the recognizable groove 20 can have a depth of 1 to 6 mm. In the case shown, the tubes 42 also protrude to some extent from the bottom 40 of the header 10; however, the gasket 14 protrudes further.

The assembled state shown in FIG. 2 reveals that the partition wall 18, which in the case shown is pointed at its free end, enters the described groove 20, ensures a sealing engagement here, and in particular causes the lips or ribs on the side of the groove 20 to move and/or deform towards each other and close the gap to the partition wall 18.

FIG. 3A shows the corresponding effect for another embodiment in which the protruding portion 16 is formed on a gasket 14 that extends over the entire area of the header 10, into which tubes 42 are inserted, and extends in particular up into the lateral, U-shaped portions of the header 10. In this case, the protruding portion 16 can protrude by 2 to 6 mm from that portion of the gasket 14 which extends parallel to the bottom 40 of the header 10. The depth of the groove 20 can be configured as indicated above for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 .

This is additionally shown and clarified in FIG. 3B, wherein FIG. 3B shows the state corresponding to FIG. 1 , in which the partition wall 18 has not yet entered the groove 20.

FIG. 4 shows the header 10 in the preferred embodiment in which the header, in particular the bottom 40 thereof, is curved, according to FIG. 4 upwards, in the direction of the tank (not shown in FIG. 4 ). In FIG. 4 , this can be seen from the fact that in the area of the two central tubes 42, the bottom 40 is slightly above a collar 46 of the tubes, which is not the case for the two lateral tubes. In other words, the side of the bottom 40 facing the tank is designed at least slightly convex.

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment in which the stability of the header 10 is increased by numerous transversely extending ribs 24 (from bottom left to top right as shown in FIG. 5 ). The longitudinal direction, which according to FIGS. 1 to 4 was perpendicular to the drawing plane, is from top left to bottom right in FIG. 5 .

According to FIG. 3B, a bead 26 extends in this longitudinal direction. It should be noted that a rib can also extend in the longitudinal direction, as shown in FIG. 5 for the transverse direction.

This is illustrated in FIG. 6B. However, the bead according to FIG. 6A offers the advantage that stability is increased and at the same time (see also FIGS. 1 to 3A) that the surface which supports the gasket 14 and, in particular, the protruding portion 16, is flat, or only has a small channel-like depression.

FIG. 6C, similar to FIG. 5 , shows the embodiment of FIG. 6B in perspective view, and according to FIG. 6D, both a longitudinal rib 24 and a transverse 24 rib are provided.

FIG. 7 shows the preferred measure according to which the header 10 has longitudinally extending rows of openings having a width which, measured perpendicular to the row direction (measured from bottom left to top right in FIG. 7 ), varies along the row. It can be seen in FIG. 7 that in the leftmost row, the width of the openings varies to the effect that openings 22 for a single tube are formed and, alternately, openings 28 configured for two tubes. In the right area of the tank, too, shown in FIG. 7 , the widths of the openings vary along the row direction, and therefore no continuous webs remain between the rows of openings that would promote deformation or buckling of the header.

FIG. 7 further shows the measure according to which the edge 30 of the opening protrudes from the plane of the opening to provide additional stability. According to FIG. 7 , this edge 30 is formed in each case to protrude in a direction away from the tank (not shown).

FIG. 8A shows a gasket 14 suitable for the header 10 of FIG. 7 , the protruding portion 16 of which is arranged off-center. As can be seen in FIG. 8A, suitable rows of openings for tubes are defined in the gasket, wherein the openings for individual tubes are delimited from each other in suitable positions by means of bridges 48 in the gasket between openings of the gasket, albeit more than one tube is inserted into a single opening 22 formed in the header 10 of FIG. 7 . In this case, the openings each have a peripheral collar, web or rib.

FIG. 8B shows the embodiment of FIG. 8A from the upper side facing the tank.

FIG. 9A shows a connection between the header 10 and the tank 12 by means of a clip 32. As can be seen in more detail in FIG. 10A, the clip 32 is inserted into a suitable opening 34 in the header 10 and interacts with a locking projection 50 formed on the tank 12. To allow this interaction, an opening for the clip 32 is additionally formed in the gasket 14, as can be seen in FIG. 10A. In the case shown, the clip 32 is beveled at its upper end facing the tank 12, and thus deflection of the clip 32 in the context of the connection between the tank 12 and the header 10 is facilitated. Since the clip 32 and/or the portion substantially parallel thereto, on which the locking projection 50 is formed, are resiliently configured, the locking projection 50 and the clip 32 can pass each other before the locking projection 50 engages an opening 52 provided in the clip during assembly (see FIG. 10A). Along the longitudinal direction, the clip is preferably arranged approximately in the center; however, multiple clips can also be provided. The clip 32 and/or the member inserted into the header 10 according to FIG. 10A or 12 can be made of a synthetic material, as can the tank, while the header is typically made of metal.

The edge 54, directed towards the header 10, of the opening in the tank 12 provided for the clip 32, is moreover configured to compress in this area the protruding portion of the gasket 14 and/or the gasket 14 itself, thus providing particular tightness.

This is shown more clearly in FIGS. 9B and 9C, in which the tank 12 alone or a detail thereof is shown. Regarding the edge 54 directed towards the header 10, it can be seen in particular in FIG. 9C that it is made with a reduced thickness, compared to the area away from the free end (bottom in FIGS. 9A to 9C), and therefore it can cooperate well with the gasket. FIG. 9D shows a top view of the tank according to FIGS. 9A and 9B.

FIG. 10A additionally shows that the partition wall 18 of the tank 12 extends adjacent to the opening 38 for the clip. Moreover, in the case shown, the clip 32 is inserted into an opening 34 in the header 10 and anchored therein by means of hooks 56.

For reasons of clarity, the header 10 of FIG. 10A is shown separately in FIG. 10B. In the central area, the opening surrounded by a kind of collar 58 can be seen, which is used to attach the clip 32 (cf. FIG. 10A) in this embodiment.

According to FIG. 12 , the arrangement is to some extent reversed to that of FIGS. 9 and 10 , and the locking projection 50 is provided on a separate member inserted and anchored in the opening 34 in the header 10.

As is apparent from FIG. 11 , the clip 32 is thus provided in a tank, and therefore only the gasket 14 and the header 10 have an opening for the clip. In the embodiment shown, the clip 32 is provided below a recess 56 in the tank 12.

In FIG. 13 , a tank 12 of this type is shown alone, in which the partition wall 18 extends in the longitudinal direction, and provided approximately in the center thereof is the recess 56 with the clip 32, which can be seen in FIG. 11 . It is additionally mentioned that the header 10 according to FIG. 12 and that according to FIGS. 10A and 10B can be identical, regardless of whether a separate member with a locking projection or clip is inserted.

FIG. 13 shows, in the vicinity of the clip 32, the edge extending as a rectangle around the clip 32, which compresses the gasket and provides a particular tightness, as described above in connection with FIG. 9A. In addition to this edge, the respective partition wall 18 compresses the gasket and thereby provides a sealing. 

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A heat exchanger comprising: a header); a tank; and a gasket disposed between the header and the tank, wherein the gasket further comprises at least one protruding portion protruding from the header, which is in sealing engagement with a portion of the tank.
 14. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the protruding portion further comprises a V-shaped groove or U-shaped groove that is open to the portion of the tank.
 15. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the header is curved in a direction of the tank.
 16. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the header further comprises at least one rib or a bead between openings for tubes.
 17. The heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein the at least one rib or the bead is formed in its course corresponding to the protruding portion.
 18. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the header has rows of openings, a width of which measured perpendicular to a direction of the rows varies along the direction of the rows.
 19. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the header further comprises at least one opening configured to receive two or more tubes.
 20. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the header further comprises at least one opening, an edge of which protrudes from a plane of the opening.
 21. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the header and the tank are connected by means of at least one clip.
 22. The heat exchanger according to claim 21, wherein the header and/or the tank and/or the gasket further comprises an opening for the clip.
 23. The heat exchanger according to claim 21, wherein the clip is provided on the header or the tank.
 24. The heat exchanger according to claim 21, wherein the clip or a locking projection interacting with the clip is provided on a separate member that is inserted into the header. 